-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Walking through a hushed cemetery at night with only a flashlight to guide your way can be a stirring experience for amateur ghost hunters this Halloween .

`` A lot of paranormal societies use graveyards for training grounds , '' said Alan Brown , author of more than 20 books on the subject . `` If you get an EMF reading in a graveyard , there is no electricity there , so it has to be coming from some other source . ''

Oftentimes , the spirits you may encounter in a cemetery are n't kind or frightening but rather full of grief in this final resting place .

`` Oddly enough , a lot of cemeteries are n't that haunted , '' said Richard Senate , a historian and ghost hunter of 33 years . `` People haunt where they loved . The idea of haunting a cemetery outside of someone who is grieving -- that 's what we 're picking up , the grief of a person , rather than their spirit linked to a site . ''

However , there are still an abundance of spirits roaming their final resting place , he said . Senate shared what he regards as some of the most haunted cemeteries in America . Visiting one of these historic sites just may introduce you to someone , or something , waiting on the other side .

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 , New Orleans

Rich with history and lore , New Orleans ' above-ground cemeteries have been inspiration for storytellers and authors alike . Before these elaborate tombs were built , the ground often gave up the recently buried during floods or heavy rains . Because the city is situated below the water table , burial was not a practical option , and the small cities of above-ground tombs began .

Cemetery No. 1 is perhaps the most famous of New Orleans ' cemeteries . Visitors have witnessed phantom figures , Civil War ghosts and yellow fever victims restlessly stalking through the maze of crypts , Senate said . But perhaps the most well-known spirit is that of Marie Laveau , the city 's own voodoo queen . She is often seen walking the grounds .

`` She haunts her tomb , '' Senate said . `` If you go there , take along a piece of chalk , make 3 X 's on her tomb , and if you ask a prayer or request , she will help you get it . Always bring your chalk . ''

After pausing , Senate added , `` It 's a pretty creepy place . I do n't know if I want to be there at night . ''

Resurrection Catholic Cemetery , Chicago

Not all cemetery hauntings involve walking through a graveyard at night . Chicago 's most famous spirit is really just looking for some company , and a way home .

The locals call her `` Resurrection Mary , '' Senate said . She is seen not only within the cemetery but just outside of the gates . If you 're driving through the area , she just may try to hitch a ride .

Over the years , thousands of people have reported a young woman who flags down passing cars for a ride home . When they ask for an address , she supplies that of the cemetery . Often , `` Mary '' vanishes in the car or steps out at the cemetery and fades into darkness , Senate said .

During the '30s , a Polish woman between the ages of 17 and 22 was on her way back from a dance at the O'Henry Ballroom when she was killed in a car accident . She was buried in Resurrection Cemetery , and locals believe that this is `` Mary . '' She is always seen wearing a vintage ball gown and seems incredibly lifelike -- until she vanishes .

Hollywood Forever Cemetery , Hollywood , California

Not only is this cemetery full of Hollywood legends from the silent film era to our recently departed celebrities , Senate says it is also full of ghosts . And they do n't just come out at night ; you can see Hollywood 's ghosts during the day .

Before Rudolph Valentino died , he made a habit of visiting hospitals and spending time with children . He spoke to one little girl who was going to have an operation and offered her words of encouragement . The girl survived her operation and recovered .

When Valentino died , she vowed to visit his grave each year and place a red rose on his gravestone . She became known as `` the lady in black , '' and she was quite visible in the '30s . But when the lady in black died , her ghost carried on the tradition . Both her and Valentino 's ghosts have been seen by his grave , Senate said .

Of course , these are just a couple of the site 's rumored hauntings .

Boothill Cemetery , Tombstone , Arizona

Once a rollicking silver rush town , Tombstone is now the true embodiment of a ghost town . The scenes of incredible violence that took place in its lawless streets still resonate , especially the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral among the Clantons , the Earps and Doc Holliday . Three of the Clanton gang were killed in the fight , which only lasted about 30 seconds . They now rest in Boothill Cemetery , alongside gamblers , smugglers and outlaws , Senate said .

There are dozens of `` boot hill '' cemeteries across the country , especially the West . The name refers to those who `` died with their boots on '' or in a violent way . But Tombstone 's cemetery , and the entire town , is considered to be one of the most haunted . Ghosts of outlaws and the Clanton gang are often seen in the cemetery , hoping to avenge their death .

`` Tombstone is a true place for ghost hunters to go , '' Senate said . `` It is chock full of haunted sites , and the cemetery is but one . ''

Gettsyburg Cemetery , Gettysburg , Pennsylvania

The site of one of the deadliest battles in American history is naturally still haunted by the vestiges of war , where families clashed and broke apart on the battlefield during a staggering three-day campaign .

The battlefield itself became a burial ground for thousands of men , many of whom were later relocated to proper graves . The Gettysburg Cemetery offers a final resting place for all of the men who never made it home . Shadowy phantom figures in both Union and Confederate uniforms still pace the battlefield and cemetery .

But Senate notes that one of the most persistent ghosts is really just there to be social . In the cemetery , a man is often seen wearing a black hat with a star , symbolic of one of the Texas regiments fighting with the Confederates at Gettysburg . He often tries to converse with tourists and on several occasions has posed with families for photos or takes a photo of family if they request it , Senate said . During photo development or even on the camera 's screen , the man disappears .

For an encapsulating haunted experience , Senate recommends staying in the Farnsworth House Inn . Confederate snipers hid in the house during the battle , and their ghosts roam the rooms today .

If you go

Should you decide to stop by any of these cemeteries and go on your own ghost hunt , Senate has a few words of advice . Remember to be respectful of those who have passed on , and do n't disturb any grave to try to incite a ghost .

`` You should be like a ghost : No one should know you 've even been there , '' Senate said .

@highlight

This Halloween , visit some of the most haunted cemeteries in the country

@highlight

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans is rumored to be haunted by a voodoo queen

@highlight

The ghost of Rudolph Valentino is often seen in Hollywood Forever Cemetery